2008 President’s Message Transforming Healthcare By Tasha E. Green, MS, RHIA DCHIMA- we are off to another great year! I am excited as we continue to strive to transform Healthcare! We went to the AHIMA Annual Convention in the month of October and three delegates attended. The House of Delegates (HOD) passed three resolutions: e-him Professional Standards intent, Quality Data and Documentation in the EHR and 2016 a Blueprint for Quality Education. The Diversity Resolution and PHR resolution were approved by electronic vote in September. We had an opportunity to meet Dr. Benjamin Carson as he talked with us about thinking “Big” we also learned about Identity theft, MS-DRG’s and AHIMA had a press conference to kick off the PHR http://www.myphr.com/. In December we had a successful Educational Meeting at Providence Hospital in Washington, DC. We had several excellent topics such as the Legal EHR, PEPPER and Long Term Care. We want to thank all those who continue to support us, and the student volunteers from Montgomery College, Prince George’s Community College and Northern Virginia Community College who introduced speakers, setup the room and worked with the Educational Committee. The time has come to Nominate Board members. We will have two vacant positions, President-Elect and Director of Education. I am asking each of you to take a look around at yourself and your peers. DCHIMA needs you!! This organization can only be as successful as our members and volunteers! So if you think we can do more or you can make a difference I want you to make a nomination for yourself or your associate! Nominate someone Today!! Please contact Patience Amartey patience.amartey@inova.org On March 18 & 19, 2008 we will Co-Host along with VHIMA and AHIMA a Regional Coding Conference http://www.ahima.org/coding/ClinicalCodingVAHome.asp. Our Past Presidents Joyce Frazier and Corinne Smith will both be presenters along with Dr. James Kennedy and a host of other presenters. In April we will host Winter Team Talk’s and Hill Day (April 7 & 8, 2008) and encourage all members to show up. We need volunteers to assist with this event! If you have not had an opportunity to lobby on Capital Hill you do not know what you are missing! This is a FREE event! This is a great opportunity to make a difference and we are fortunate to live in the Nations Capitol and if you have an opportunity to come out and enjoy yourself please don’t miss out!! For more information contact Jeanne Mansell Jeanne87@hotmail.com , Legislative Chair or log onto http://www.ahima.org/dc/hilldayinfo.asp. Save the date June 6, 2008! Come out to the University of Maryland Inn and Conference Center for these years DCHIMA Annual Meeting as we recognize our Diversity! Many of us work in so many different areas. We recognize this and want each of you to take an active part of the association and an active part in our annual meeting so we have various speakers who will cover many Hot Topics! We look forward to seeing you there! Support DCHIMA this is your organization! Remember “Think Big”! Do great things, and continue to be “Transformers”!!!